Air miles or good food?

[spinbaby]

I'm planning a trip to Japan in late summer and have been shopping air fares a lot, waiting for them to come down to where they're a bit more affordable. I'm finding USAirways and JAL often come up as good deals. I have air miles already with USAirways and these 14,000 extra air miles would get me a free flight. However, JAL has a reputation for much better food and and service--on a long flight this could make a difference.

Which would you choose?

[bearfan454]

1. Take the miles

I would.

[spinbaby]

2. That was my first instinct

But I've flown USAirways a lot domestically and they tend to run late, uncomfortable flights with surly flight attendants. I'm not sure I could stand to go halfway around the world with them.

[dr.strangelove]

3. Go with the miles

I go to Japan several times a year. Normally I take AA or JAL, however I have flown US Air to Japan at least twice, last in December 2003. Both trips were fine. There is very little difference in coach class to Japan between JAL, AA and USAir. If you can get to business class, go with JAL, but if you are in coach, get the miles and fly somewhere warm in December for free.
Good luck.

[radwriter0555]

4. MILES. you can take an APPLE on the plane. Free tix are hard

to come by.